* * *
The television in the living room blared constant news coverage about bribery, embezzlement, and money laundering scandals that had shaken the political world.
Jungjin’s work was efficient.
Even while abroad, he steadily increased his holdings and influence.
The moment the prosecution began investigating Chairman Lee and Madam Jang, he seized the opportunity, taking control in one swift move and quickly gaining the support of shareholders.
The smooth succession of leadership owed much to the cooperation of the second and third sons, Lee Jungwoo and Lee Jungseo.
Jungwoo, disinterested in the company’s management, relinquished his rights early to aid his older brother’s stable transition.
Similarly, Jungseo chose to step aside without hesitation.
‘Now, there’s no one left to threaten you. Everything’s peaceful… So where are you, Jungin?’
In the last video he received, Jungin looked like someone being chased, glancing around anxiously as he desperately fled.
What could have made him so restless?
Had Beomhyeon failed to give him the trust he needed?
“…Ha.”
Letting out a deep sigh, Beomhyeon was about to replay the video from the beginning when someone called for him, drawing his attention.
“Sir!”
The voice was slightly breathless and trembling.
Rising immediately, Beomhyeon asked Mr. Yoon:
“Where?”
“Dong Incheon.”
“Get the car ready. We’re leaving now.”
Though Beomhyeon’s face bore the marks of sleepless nights since Jungin’s disappearance, his eyes remained sharp and alive.
As he climbed into the back seat, Mr. Yoon handed him a post from SNS, speaking as he did:
“Jungin seems to be wearing a mask, so it’s not completely certain. But judging by the build and eyes—”
“It’s him.”
“…Pardon?”
“It’s Jungin. I’m sure of it.”
The moment he saw the photo, his heart raced.
It had to be Jungin.
No matter how much he tried to hide his face or avoid being seen, Beomhyeon would recognize him anywhere.
“And where exactly is this? It looks like a restaurant.”
“A grilled eel restaurant in Dong Incheon. He appeared briefly in a video, but his good looks seem to have drawn attention, and it’s gone viral as ‘the handsome part-timer grilling eel.’”
“…Ha.”
In the video, Jungin nervously flipped pieces of eel one by one.
Watching him cook food for others when he barely ate enough himself made Beomhyeon’s stomach churn with frustration.
“Have the video taken down. Send our people in Incheon to the restaurant, but make sure they don’t alarm Jungin.”
“Yes, understood.”
Relieved, Beomhyeon watched Mr.Yoon make a flurry of phone calls before calling Jungjin.
“This is Ki Beomhyeon. I’ve found Jungin.”
“Where is he?”
“Dong Incheon. I’m on my way to bring him back.”
Through the receiver, Beomhyeon could hear Jungjin silencing his brothers before replying:
“I’ll leave immediately as well.”
The rush-hour traffic threatened to make things worse.
Since Beomhyeon was already closer to Dong Incheon, he decided it would be faster to retrieve Jungin himself and head straight to Sagang-dong.
“No, if you leave Gangnam now, the routes will conflict. I’ll take him to Sagang-dong directly.”
“Hah… Then I’ll leave it to you. Tell Jungin… that I miss him terribly.”
“Yes, don’t worry. I’ll contact you again soon.”
Jungjin’s voice was filled with anxious affection.
Pocketing his phone, Beomhyeon spoke firmly.
“Drive faster.”
“Yes, sir.”
It had taken longer than expected to find Jungin, who had been surprisingly meticulous in covering his tracks.
The days without him were a blur, as if time had evaporated.
What if it happened again?
The urge to lock Jungin in his room and never let him out gnawed at Beomhyeon.
“Mr. Yoon.”
“Yes?”
“Contact Yeonhwa Hospital and check if the VIP ward can be cleared for tomorrow.”
Now that he had found Jungin and there was no hiding his intentions, there was no point in delaying any longer.
“Tell them I want the imprinting procedure expedited, even if it requires using the rut cycle inducer.”
Pausing briefly, Mr.Yoon hesitated before speaking cautiously:
“But Jungin may not accept this… forcing it might…”
Swallowing the rest of his words, Yoon felt pity for Jungin and worried that the situation might escalate.
“He’s been deeply hurt. That’s why he’s so afraid. He’s terrified that loving someone will only cause them pain… that they’ll hate him for it.”
“…”
“I think the first step is to talk to him, to truly connect.”
Quietly absorbing Yoon’s words, Beomhyeon fell into thought.
In his desperation to save Jungin, he had overlooked the most important thing: why had Jungin run away from him in the first place?
The realization hit him hard.
While his intentions were for Jungin’s sake, it was clear that his fear stemmed from believing he could endanger everyone he loved.
The image of Jungin, with his large, pleading eyes, surfaced in his mind.
Feeling his resolve strengthen, Beomhyeon thanked Yoon:
“…Thank you for the advice.”
“You’re welcome, sir.”
Relieved by the softened air around Beomhyeon, Mr.Yoon let out a silent sigh as the car sped toward the destination.
The sight of the road signs reading “Dong Incheon” made Beomhyeon’s pulse quicken.
Jungin was here.
Every sense screamed it.
His clenched fists tightened as his gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
Finally, the car came to a stop.
“My baby… My sweet Jungin. Mommy will always protect you.”
A woman’s tearful face appeared before him, stroking his cheeks as she smiled with boundless happiness.
“I love you, Jungin. So much.”
Hearing the word “Mom,” Jungin realized he was dreaming.
The illusion painted vivid moments he had always longed for.
“Jungin, take your lunchbox. I packed plenty of pork cutlet kimbap for you to share with your friends.”
“Jungin! Happy birthday, my son. Thank you for being born as my child.”
“Oh no, you’re still just a baby. What if you fall? Are your knees okay?”
A mother who lovingly packed his lunch, celebrated his birthday with a modest cake, and tended to his scraped knees like her own heart was breaking—these tender moments swelled in his mind like balloons.
If he’d had his mother, would he have grown up less lonely?
The dream brought him the life he had always yearned for, yet…
Why wasn’t he happy?
A pang of sadness filled his chest, and as he opened his eyes, he whispered:
“Beomhyeon… my brothers…”
When the forgotten faces of the past surfaced in his mind, the inflated balloon burst rapidly like a soap bubble, vanishing entirely.
Only then did Jungin realize he had woken from a dream.
Reality was mercilessly lonely.
Although this marked the third morning in a row, everything still felt unfamiliar and frightening.
“I miss them…”
Muttering with dry, cracked lips, Jungin stifled his sobs as he reached for his phone.
If he’d known it would be like this, he would’ve at least taken some photos to keep with him.
Though his brothers and Beomhyeon were famous enough to find pictures of them in online articles, none of those photos would show the gentle expressions they reserved just for him.
Staring at the phone that had become little more than a glorified clock, he sought solace in that thought.
Wiping away his tears, Jungin sat up and checked the time.
His shift at the part-time job was approaching, and he needed to get ready.
Rustling sounds filled the narrow room, now cluttered with Jungin’s few belongings.
Because the shared restroom meant no private bathroom, he packed shampoo, soap, and toothpaste before firmly locking the door behind him and stepping out.
“Room 204 is up already?”
“Oh… hello.”
* * *
